Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate which faces the first substrate; a frame member which includes a wall surface portion surrounding a secure region together with the first substrate and the second substrate; a tamper detection circuit which is disposed within the secure region and detects release of blocking of the secure region; and a substrate connection circuit which electrically connects a first surface that is a first side of the secure region of the first substrate and a second surface that is a second side of the secure region of the second substrate, when the frame member contacts the first substrate and the second substrate, a length of a portion of the substrate connection circuit which crosses the secure region is greater than a distance between the first substrate and the second substrate, and in a plan view perpendicular to the first substrate and the second substrate, peripheries of the first substrate and the second substrate are each smaller than and within a periphery of the frame member.
An information processing apparatus includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other. A frame member surrounds a secure region formed by the substrates. A tamper detection circuit within this region detects attempts to breach its security. A substrate connection circuit electrically connects the first and second substrates across the secure region. This connection circuit, when the frame contacts both substrates, has a length exceeding the distance between the substrates. The substrates are smaller than, and contained within, the frame's periphery when viewed from above.
2. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first tamper detection pattern which is in the first substrate and is electrically connected to the tamper detection circuit; a second tamper detection pattern which is in the second substrate and is electrically connected to the tamper detection circuit; two electrodes which open an electric circuit of the first tamper detection pattern or the second tamper detection pattern; and an electrode connection member which is independent of the first substrate and the second substrate and electrically connects the two electrodes.
The information processing apparatus described in the previous claim is further enhanced with tamper detection patterns on both the first and second substrates, connected to the tamper detection circuit. Two electrodes are present, designed to interrupt the electrical circuit of either tamper detection pattern. An electrode connection member, separate from the substrates, provides an electrical bridge between these two electrodes, increasing tamper resistance.
3. The information processing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the electrode connection member is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
In the information processing apparatus described where electrodes are connected by an electrode connection member, this electrode connection member is located between the first and second substrates to further conceal and protect the tamper detection mechanism.
4. The information processing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the electrode connection member includes an elastic member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, a conductive film being formed on a surface of the elastic member, and the elastic member is fixed between the first substrate and the second substrate by an elastic force of the elastic member, the conductive film being pressed by the two electrodes to thereby secure electrical connection between the two electrodes.
The information processing apparatus, incorporating the features of previous claims, utilizes an elastic member as the electrode connection member, situated between the first and second substrates. A conductive film covers the elastic member's surface. The elastic member's inherent force secures it between the substrates, ensuring the conductive film is pressed firmly against the two electrodes, creating a reliable electrical connection. This mechanical and electrical setup enhances tamper detection.
5. The information processing apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a flexible substrate including a wiring pattern electrically connected to the tamper detection circuit covers at least the entire outer circumference of the wall surface portion.
The information processing apparatus, already featuring tamper detection patterns and connecting electrodes, adds a flexible substrate with a wiring pattern electrically connected to the tamper detection circuit. This flexible substrate covers at least the entire outer circumference of the frame's wall, providing an additional layer of tamper evidence and shielding.
6. The information processing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the wiring pattern of the flexible substrate is electrically connected to the tamper detection circuit independently of the first tamper detection pattern and the second tamper detection pattern.
In the information processing apparatus using a flexible substrate for tamper detection, the wiring pattern on this substrate connects to the tamper detection circuit independently of the tamper detection patterns already present on the first and second substrates. This creates a redundant tamper detection system, ensuring that even if the substrate tamper patterns are bypassed, the flexible substrate wiring will still trigger an alarm.
7. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate connection circuit is constituted by a flexible foldable substrate having a folded portion.
In the information processing apparatus, the substrate connection circuit, responsible for electrically linking the first and second substrates across the secure region, is implemented using a flexible, foldable substrate that includes a folded portion to accommodate the required length within the limited space.
8. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: an electronic component mounted on one of the first surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate which is a target to be protected and stores information to be protected.
The information processing apparatus is equipped with an electronic component mounted on either the first or second substrate that requires protection. This component stores sensitive information that must be safeguarded from unauthorized access or modification. The tamper-resistant design of the apparatus aims to protect this component and the data it contains.
9. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a first connector which is disposed on the first side of the secure region of the first substrate and which is connected to one end of the substrate connection circuit; and a second connector which is disposed on the second side of the secure region of the second substrate and which is connected to another end of the substrate connection circuit opposite to the one end of the substrate connection circuit.
The information processing apparatus has a first connector on the first substrate and a second connector on the second substrate. These connectors are located on opposite sides of the secure region. The substrate connection circuit connects to the first connector at one end and to the second connector at the other, establishing an electrical pathway between the two substrates across the secure area.
10. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate connection circuit is a flexible circuit.
The substrate connection circuit used to connect the first and second substrates across the secure region is constructed from a flexible circuit material, enabling it to bend and conform to the spatial constraints within the information processing apparatus.
11. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tamper detection circuit detects the release of the blocking of the secure region through separation of one of the first substrate and the second substrate from the frame member.
The tamper detection circuit in the information processing apparatus is designed to detect a breach of the secure region caused by the separation of either the first or second substrate from the surrounding frame member. This separation triggers the tamper detection mechanism, indicating a potential security compromise.
12. The information processing apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the frame member has a shape that is closed in a circumferential direction by the wall surface portion.
The frame member that surrounds the secure region in the information processing apparatus is a closed shape, forming a continuous wall that encircles the substrates. This closed configuration enhances the physical barrier against tampering and unauthorized access to the secure region.
13. The information processing apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the frame member includes at least one member mounting portion, the member mounting portion being integral with the frame member and defining an opening, the opening being open to the first surface that is the first side of the secure region of the first substrate and the second surface that is the second side of the secure region of the second substrate.
The frame member includes at least one member mounting portion that is integral with the frame. This mounting portion defines an opening that exposes the first surface of the first substrate and the second surface of the second substrate within the secure region, allowing for potential connection points or access to components within the protected area.
14. The information processing apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the member mounting portion has a shape that is closed in the circumferential direction.
The member mounting portion is closed in the circumferential direction.
15. The information processing apparatus of claim 14 , further comprising: a conductive member mounted in the member mounting portion, the tamper detection circuit detecting the separation of one of the first substrate and the second substrate from the frame member via the conductive member.
The information processing apparatus, including the closed member mounting portion, contains a conductive member mounted inside this portion. The tamper detection circuit detects any separation of either substrate from the frame member via changes detected by the conductive member, indicating a physical intrusion attempt.
16. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substrate connection circuit is a flexible foldable substrate having a plurality of folds.
The substrate connection circuit, which electrically connects the first and second substrates across the secure region, is a flexible, foldable substrate featuring multiple folds. This design allows the circuit to achieve a longer effective length within a confined space, enhancing its flexibility and adaptability within the apparatus.
17. The information processing apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the substrate connection circuit is connected to the first surface that is the first side of the secure region of the first substrate via a first connector disposed on the first substrate, the substrate connection circuit is connected to the second surface that is the second side of the secure region of the second substrate via a second connector disposed on the second substrate, and the first connector and the second connector are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first substrate and the second substrate.
The flexible foldable substrate connects to the first substrate via a first connector and to the second substrate via a second connector. The connectors are aligned perpendicularly to the substrates.
18. The information processing apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of folds of the flexible foldable substrate are between the first connector and the second connector in the direction perpendicular to the first substrate and the second substrate.
Within the design where a flexible foldable substrate connects the substrates, the multiple folds of the substrate are positioned between the first and second connectors in the direction perpendicular to the first and second substrates. This folding arrangement optimizes space utilization and enhances the circuit's flexibility.
19. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a flexible substrate including a wiring pattern electrically connected to the tamper detection circuit and covering the wall surface portion of the frame member, wherein the flexible substrate is further between portions of the first substrate and the frame member which abut and between portions of the second substrate and the frame member which abut.
The information processing apparatus includes a flexible substrate with a wiring pattern connected to the tamper detection circuit, covering the wall surface of the frame. This flexible substrate also extends between the contact points of the first substrate and the frame, and between the second substrate and the frame, adding an extra layer of tamper evidence and physical security to the device.
20. The information processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, when the frame member contacts the first substrate and the second substrate, a length of each of the conductive members is greater than or equal to the distance between the first substrate and the second substrate.
When the frame member is in contact with the first and second substrates, the length of each conductive member used in tamper detection is greater than or equal to the distance between the two substrates. This ensures a reliable electrical connection and effective tamper detection even if slight variations in substrate spacing occur.
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September 12, 2017
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